Inside the Phillies with MLB.com beat writer Todd Zolecki

Results tagged ‘ NLCS ’

Those are not comforting numbers for Phillies fans, but they are no reason to panic. They only mean Game 2 tonight is huge. If the Phillies win Game 2, it’s even. And teams that take a 2-1 lead in the LCS, which the Phillies would have the opportunity to do if they even the series tonight, are 43-17.

And think back to the last time the Phillies played a seven-game series. They took a 1-0 lead against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the 2009 World Series. I recall some nervous Yankees fans following that Game 1 loss to Cliff Lee, but the Yankees outplayed the Phillies the rest of the World Series.

The Phillies certainly have the ability to do to the Giants what the Yankees did to them.

Of course, they will need to hit Jonathan Sanchez, who is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in two starts this season against the Phillies.

“Usually we win Game 1 and find a way to lose Game 2,” Jimmy Rollins said. “Now we have to find a way to win Game 2 and go back out to San Francisco. We don’t get afraid of playing on the road. We’ve won on the road. We’re comfortable there also. So we’ve just got to make sure we get even tomorrow because you don’t want to go down 0-2.”

*

Quote of the night from Tim Lincecum about the catcalls he got from Phillies fans: “I was thinking I must have a really nice butt. But I heard a lot of them. It kind of hypes you up a little bit. You’re fighting a lot more than the Philly team. It’s the whole Philly atmosphere.”

*

The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!

He has been slowed since he strained his right hamstring Sept. 8. He missed most of September, and has hit .167 (5 for 30) with one double, one home and four RBIs in nine games, including a 1-for-11 effort in three games against the Reds in the NLDS. But Rollins said he sprinted for the first time in a long time yesterday.

“I didn’t feel sore afterward, which is always good,” he said today. “I haven’t been in a game situation where I’ve tried to steal or even needed to steal. Until that situation happens that’s going to be a hard question to answer as far as how I feel. But I am fast, and that’s good. I could probably beat out some infield singles again. I don’t have to let those pitchers beat me to the bag when I know I should be beating them.”

“It’s great,” Brown said, who went 0 for 1 and scored a run in the NLDS. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be on the roster, but it has turned into another great experience for me.”

Ruben Amaro Jr. said manager Charlie Manuel made the final decision. He said Manuel felt Brown “would bring a little bit more to the table. It was a tough decision. Charlie ultimately felt like it was the right thing for us to do.”

Brown hit .210 (13 for 62) with three doubles, two home runs and 13 RBIs during the regular season. Dobbs hit .198 (32 for 163) with seven doubles, five home runs and 15 RBIs. Manuel said Brown’s and Dobbs’ offense was equal. He said Brown’s speed was an advantage over Dobbs, although he said Dobbs’ experience and ability to play the infield were important.

Not important enough.

“I thought that maybe my postseason experience and how well I’ve done in the postseason might play a role in it,” Dobbs said. “Being an older veteran, more experienced, more versatile, I thought that would play in my favor. Obviously, it did not.”

The Phillies have not played since Sunday in Cincinnati. They will not play again until Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

It’s been a long time between games. Every angle has been covered. Every question has been asked. I mean, every question has been asked. Countless times. So I thought we’d take a break from the Halladay vs. Lincecum stuff — it’s turning into a monster truck commercial (One night only! Saturday Saturday! Saturday!) — and just listen to some music.

If you ever wondered what music the Phillies use when they walk up to the batter’s box or warm up before pitching, here they are (as of Oct. 5):

Charlie Manuel woke up this morning, turned on the TV and heard Pat Burrell talk about the Phillies.

“To be the best you’ve got to beat the best.”

Manuel liked that.

“That’s one of my slogans,” Manuel said this afternoon. “It’s Ric Flair. You’re going to Space Mountain. What the hell? You know what happens at Space Mountain? You’ve got to get there and you’ve got to conquer it. You’ve got to stay there. That’s kind of what we want to do.”

Does this make the Giants the Iron Sheik?

Update: I’m told Flair and Sheik were in two different wrestling leagues. So I guess that makes the Giants “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes?

*

The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!

Charlie Manuel announced this morning on WIP his rotation for the National League Championship Series:

Game 1: Roy Halladay.

Game 2: Roy Oswalt.

Game 3: Cole Hamels.

Game 4: Joe Blanton.

Game 5: Roy Halladay.

Game 6: Roy Oswalt.

Game 7: Cole Hamels.

Nothing surprising there. I thought maybe they might flip Oswalt and Hamels, but it works either way. I figured Blanton would start — Manuel said they might go with Halladay, but only if they’re down in the series — because it only makes sense to have Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels on normal rest in Games 5, 6 and 7. The Phillies have never pitched anybody on short rest in postseasons past, so why would they start now with their best rotation? Pitching should not be the issue this series. If the Phillies hit a little bit, they should win.

*

The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!

Charlie Manuel talked to reporters for 15 minutes before today’s simulated game at Citizens Bank Park.

Here’s a synopsis:

He said they have not decided on their rotation for the NLCS. Manuel wouldn’t even say Roy Halladay would pitch Game 1. Seriously.

“You can assume whatever you want to assume,” Manuel said. “I’m not trying to be cute.”

But then Manuel finally tipped his hand.

“Big Roy is Big Roy,” he said.

Halladay will pitch Game 1. Not sure about the rest. Manuel said they definitely could pitch Joe Blanton in Game 4, which would allow the Phillies to pitch Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels on normal rest in Games 5, 6 and 7.

Manuel also said they have decided nothing on their NLCS roster, although they would carry 11 pitchers instead of 10 if they decide Blanton will start Game 4.

*

The Zo Zone is on Facebook and Twitter. My Phillies book “The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly” is available online, and at Delaware Valley bookstores!

Pedro Martinez said he is ready. He threw a bullpen session this afternoon during a voluntary workout at Citizens Bank Park, which puts him on line to start Game 6. He threw seven scoreless innings in Game 2, but while he threw well he would not mind waiting a little longer to pitch. He would like to see the Phillies wrap up the series tomorrow night to clinch their second consecutive berth in the World Series.

Asked if he thinks the Phillies need to be reminded not to take their foot off the gas, Martinez said, “This team doesn’t need to be told. This team has proven over and over that this team is all about business. If we were a car, right now we probably would be in trouble with the law. This team really speeds up and never lets down. I think we’re more of a NASCAR type of team.

“We feel like we are in the driver’s seat … in a NASCAR driver’s seat. I think we have a very good chance to actually win it tomorrow, and we’re going to try. But that team is good. The other team is good. We have to pay attention to them and just stay focused.”

The Phillies still could pitch left-hander Cliff Lee in Game 6, but could bring him back on extra rest in Game 7.

“We’re all on the bubble,” Martinez said. “I’m ready right now. If you ask me if I could pitch today, yes, I could pitch.”

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.